Connector structure



Oct. 16, 1962 R. M. HELLER CONNECTOR STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 18, 1960 lEII R w my H n O R The invention relates generally to connector structures and refer more particularly to an improved bulb socket and electric connector, each including bullet type contact members, which bulb socket and electric connector include means to prevent the engagement thereof except when the bulb socket and electric connector are in predetermined relative angular positions.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved bulb socket including a minimum number of elements and bullet type contact members.

Another object is to provide an improved bulb socket having bullet type contact members and including means to prevent engagement therewith of an electric connector having other than a predetermined relative angular position with respect thereto.

Another object is to provide connector structure comprising a bulb socket including bullet type contact members, an electric connector including bullet type contact members, and means associated with the bulb socket and electric connector for preventing engagement thereof in other than predetermined relative angular positions.

Another object is to provide connector structure comprising a bulb socket including a socket tube and a core in one end of the socket tube and also including bullet type contact members extending axially of the socket tube and through the core, and an electric connector including an insulating body and bullet type contact members secured within said body, and means integral with the bulb socket and electric connector operable to prevent interfitting of the contact members of the bulb socket and electric connector with the bulb socket and electric connector in other than a predetermined relative angular position.

Another object is to provide connector structure as set forth above including a pair of contact members mounted in the bulb socket, one of which is a male type and the other of which is a female type and a similar pair of contact members secured in the electric connector which contact members are positioned to interfit with said bulb socket and electric connector in only predetermined relative angular positions.

Another object is to provide connector structure as set forth above wherein the bulb socket and electric connector are provided with an interfitting recess and projection acting therebetween to prevent interfitting of the contact members thereof with the bulb socket and electric connector in other than predetermined angular positions.

Another object is to provide connector structure as set forth above wherein said electric connector is provided with an axially extending annular flange adapted to form an insulating boot about the socket tube of said bulb socket on engagement of the bulb socket with the electric connector.

Another object is to provide bullet type contact members for use in a connector structure including means at one end thereof adapted to secure the contact member in an insulating body.

Another object is to provide a male bullet type contact member including means at one end thereof for mounting the contact member and wherein the other end of said contact member is tubular and is tapered radially inwardly axially outwardly thereof.

Another object is to provide a female bullet type assign! fig Patented Oct. 16, 1962 contact member including means at one end thereof for mounting the contact member and wherein the other end of said contact member is tubular and the inner surface of said other end tapers radially outwardly axially outwardly thereof.

Another object is to provide single blanks from which a bullet type contact member may be produced complete with portions integral therewith for securing said contact member in an insulating body.

Another object is to provide a single blank as set forth above from which a female bullet type contact member may be formed wherein one end of the blank is bevelled.

Another object is to provide a single blank as set forth above from which a male bullet type contact member may be formed wherein the longitudinal edges are tapered inwardly at one edge thereof.

Another object is to provide connector structure as set forth above which is simple in construction, economi cal to manufacture and eflicient in use.

Other objects, advantages and novel details of construction of this invention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a mating bulb socket and electric connector constructed according to the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal section of the electric connector illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a view of the right end of the electric connector illustrated in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a partially broken away side view of the bulb socket illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a view of the left end of the bulb socket illustrated in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a view of the right end of the bulb socket illustrated in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of a blank from which a male bullet type contact member according to the invention may be formed.

FIGURE '8 is a side view of a male bullet type contact member according to the invention which may be formed from the blank illustrated in FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a view of the left end of the male contact member illustrated in FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is a plan view of a blank from which a female contact member according to the invention may be formed.

FIGURE 11 is a side view of a female contact member according to the invention which may be formed from the blank illustrated in FIGURE 10.

FIGURE '12 is a view of the left end of the female contact member illustrated in FIGURE 11.

With particular reference to the figures a specific embodiment of the invention will now be disclosed.

As shown in FIGURE 1 the connector structure of the invention comprises a bulb socket 10 and an electric connector 12. The bulb socket 10 according to the invention includes male and female bullet type contact members 14 and '16 respectively mounted in insulating core 18, which core has recess 20 therein. The electric connector 12 includes male and female bullet type-contact members 22 and 24 respectively secured in insulating body 26 which body includes projection 28 and flange 30 According to the invention the bulb socket 10 and electric connector .12 may be engaged only when the bulb socket 10 and electric connector 12 are in predetermined relative angular positions due to the interfitting bullet type contact members 16 and 22, and 14 and 24 respectively, and the interfitting recess 20 and projection 28.

Also, according to the invention the male and female bullet type connector members 14 and 22, and 16 and 24- are constructed from single blanks of conducting material 3 whereby the bulb socket and electric connector 12 are economically constructed using a minimum number of parts.

More specifically the bulb'socket as shown in FIGURE 4 comprises socket tube 32, core 18, spring 36 and contact members 14 and 16. In assembly, the socket tube 32 is adapted to receive an electric bulb (not shown) at end 38 thereof. Contact members 14 and '16 are provided to contact the terminals of an electric bulb received in socket tube 32. The contact members 14 and 16 together with the insulating core 18 in which they are mounted are urged toward end 3 8 of socket tube 32 by spring 36.

Socket tube 32 includes a flange 40 at end 38 thereof shaped as shown for the connection of the bulb socket to convenient structure (not shown) and also includes a radially inwardly extending flange 42 at the end 44 thereof against which one end of the spring 36 acts. Socket tube 32 further includes an annular groove 45 producing a radially inwardly extending projection located centrally thereof against whichcore 118 isurged by means of spring 36. Bayonet grooves 46 are also provided in end 40 of the sockettube 32 into which projections on an electric bulb received in socket tube 32 may be positioned in the usual manner. 7

Core 18 as illustrated is a generally cylindrical member of insulating material having a flat side 48 coacting with a flat surface 50 on flange 42 of the socket tube to prevent relative rotation between the socket tube and core. Core 18 is also provided with an annular flange 52 about end 54 thereof against which the other end of spring 36 acts to urgethe core 118 against the projection formed by groove 45 in socket tube 32. Further, a transverse recess 56 extending across the end 54 of core 18 is provided to receive the heads 58 and 60 of contact members 14 and '16 respectively. 7 7

Also, in accordance with the invention a recess 20 is provided in end '64 of core 18 extending coaxially with the male contact member 14. Recess 20 is operable in conjunction with projection 28 on the electric connector 12 to prevent interfitting of the contact members with the electric connector and the bulb socket in other than predetermined relative angular positions.

Male contact member 14, as best shown in FIGURE 8, is a tubular member of conductive material having an end 66 which is tapered inwardly axially outwardly of the tubular member as shown. The male contact member 14 also includes the head 60 cooperable with the tabs 68 extending radially outwardly from the contact member 14 to secure the contact member in an insulating body such as core 18.

Also according to the invention the male contact member 14 is formed from a flat blank 76 shaped as shown in FIGURE 7 with inwardly tapering side portions 72 at 'end 74 thereof. Blank 70 is further shaped with a circular portion 76 extending from the end 78 thereof and connected thereto by a strip 80 so that head 60 of male contact =14 may be readily formed from blank 70. The particular configuration of the end 78 of the blank 70 provides support for head 60 of a finished contact member 14 as will be understood by those in the art.

. The female, contact member 16 as best shown in FIG- URE 11 is similar to male contact member 14 except that the radius of the tubular portion thereof is larger than that of the tubular portion of the male contact member 14 so that the male contact member 14 may be in sorted in the female contact member 16. In addition the end 82 of the female contact member 16 has an inner surface which tapers radially outwardly axially outwardly of the contact member.

The blank 84 from which the female contact member '16 is produced is similar to the blank 70 from which the male contact member 14 is produced. The end 86 thereof, however, instead of tapering inwardly from the longitudinal edges is bevelled to provide the tapering inner surface of the finished female contact member 16 as will be understood by those in the art. Also the circular portion 88 connected to the end 90 of the blank 84 and the configuration of the end 90 of the blank 84 is slightly different than the similar members of the blank 70, illustrating a modification wherein the blanks are of simpler shape. i

7 The electric connector 12 as best shown in FIGURE 2 includes an insulating body 92 having passages 94 therethrough in which contact members 22 and 24 are secured. The insulating body 92 further includes an annular axially extending flange 39 on end thereof which provides an insulating boot for the end 44 of the socket tube 32 with the bulb socket 10 and electric connector 12 engaged. Annular radially extending bead 102 is provided at the outer edge of flange 96 and is operable to grip the sides of the socket tube 32 is assembly.

According to the invention a projection 28 is also provided extending from end 100 of the insulating body 92 and as shown surrounds contact member 24. The pro jection 28 is operable in conjunction with the recess 20 of the core 13 to prevent engagement of the electric connector 12 and the bulb socket 10 in other than predetermined relative angular positions thereof. 7

The contact members 22 and 24 have ends 104 and 106 which are entirely to the ends 66 and 82 respectively of contact members 14 and 16 previously described. The ends 108 thereof include axially spaced transversely projecting portions 110 and 112 which, as shown in FIGURE 2, are adapted to wrap around the insulation 114 and conducting member 116 of electrical conductors 118 to firmly grip and make, electrical contact therewith as will be understood by those in the art.

In use the end 100 of the electric connector 12 is positioned over the bulb socket 10 and the bulb socket and electric connector are rotated angularly relative to each other'until the recess 20 and the projection 28 are aligned, at which time the contact members 16 and 22, and 14 and 24 may be interfitted to engage the bulk socket and electric connector. It will be noted that with the structure disclosed the contact members may not be interfitted to engage the bulk socket and electric connector with the bulb socket and electric connector in any but predetermined relative angular positions.

While 'a particular embodiment of the connector structure, and particular bullet type contact members of the invention have been disclosed it is anticipated that similar structures will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art with the disclosed invention before them. It is therefore the intention to include all such similar structures as may suggest themselves the scope of the present invention.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. An electric light bulb socket comprising a socket tube adapted to receive an electric light bulb in one end and having a radially inwardly extending annular flange at the other end thereof, an insulating core secured within and having an end extending out of the other end of the socket tube and having a radially outwardly extending annular flange at the inner end thereof, resilient means engageable with said flanges and operable between the socket tube and insulating core to bias the insulating core toward said one end of the socket tube, means integral with the socket tube for limiting the movement of the insulating core toward said one end of the socket tube,

said insulating core also having a transverselyrextending 'recess in the inner end thereof, an axially extending recess in the axially outer end thereof and a pair of axially extending openings therethrough both of which terminate at one end in the transverse recess and one of which terminates at the other end within said axially extending recess,

' a male bullet type contact member extending through said having tab portions located centrally thereof and enlarged diameter head portions at the inner end thereof positioned within the transverse recess in the insulating core cooperable to lock the contact members within the insulating core, said enlarged diameter head portions of said contact members being of substantially the same extent axially of the socket tube as the transverse recess in the core to prevent shearing of light bulb terminal ends by contact thereof with the head portions of the contact members on securing of light bulbs within the bulb socket by relative rotation between the bulb socket and light bulb.

2. Structure for connecting an electric light bulb to a pair of electrical conductors with a predetermined polarity, comprising an electric light bulb socket including a socket tube adapted to receive an electric light bulb in one end, an insulating core secured within and having one end extending out of the other end of said socket tube which core has an axially extending recess in the one end thereof extending out of the socket tube, a pair of openings extending axially therethrough, one of which terminates in said recess, and a transverse recess extending across the other end of the insulating core in which said pair of openings terminate, a male bullet type contact member secured within said one of said openings and extending into the recess at said one end of the insulating core and a female bullet type contact member secured within the other of said openings, each of said contact members including an elongated tubular portion extending through the respective opening in the insulating core, tabs struck out centrally of the tubular portions and enlarged cap portions at the end of the tubular members adjacent the other end of the core operable in conjunction with the tabs to lock the contact members within the openings in the insulating core which cap portions are received in the transverse recess in the other end of the core member to prevent shearing of light bulb terminal ends by contact thereof with the head portions of the contact members on securing of a light bulb within the bulb socket by relative rotation between the bulb socket and light bulb, said socket tube further including an annular radially inwardly extending flange at said other end thereof and said insulating core further including a radially outwardly extending flange around the other end thereof, resilient means operable between said flanges for biasing said insulating core toward the one end of the socket tube, means integral with the socket tube for limiting movement of the insulating core toward the one end of the socket tube, and an electric connector including an insulating body having an axially extending projection on one end thereof of a cross section and length equal to the cross section and length of said recess in said one end of said insulating core, said insulating body also including a pair of openings therethrough aligned with the openings through said insulating core one of which extends through said projection, a female bullet type contact member secured in the opening extending through the projection and a male bullet type contact member extending through the other opening through the insulating body connected to separate electric conductors within the insulating body, said female contact member of said electric connector receiving the male contact member of the bulb socket and the male contact member of the electric connector being received in the female contact member of the socket tube with the projection on the electric connector inserted in the recess in the one end of the insulating core whereby assembly of said electric connector and bulb socket is prevented with the electric connector and bulb socket in other than a single predetermined relative angular position.

3. Structure for connecting an electric light bulb to a pair of electrical conductors with a predetermined polarity, comprising an electric light bulb socket including a socket tube adapted to receive an electric light bulb in one end, an insulating core secured within and having one end extending out of the other end of said socket tube which core has an axially extending recess in the one end there of extending out of the socket tube, a pair of openings extending axially therethrough, one of which terminates in said recess, and a transverse recess extending across the other end of the insulating core in which said pair of openings terminate, a male bullet type contact member secured within said one of said openings and extending into the recess at said one end of the insulating core and a female bullet type contact member secured within the other of said openings, each of said contact members including an elongated tubular portion extending through the respective opening in the insulating core, tabs struck out centrally of the tubular portions and enlarged cap portions at the end of the tubular members adjacent the other end of the core operable in conjunction with the tabs to lock the contact members within the openings in the insulating core which cap portions are received in the transverse recess in the other end of the core member to prevent shearing of light bulb terminal ends by contact thereof with the head portions of the contact members on securing of a light bulb within the bulb socket by relative rotation between the bulb socket and light bulb, and an electric connector including an insulating body having an axially extending projection on one end thereof of a cross section and length equal to the cross section and length of said recess in said one end of said insulating core, said insulating body also including a pair of openings therethrough aligned with the openings through said insulating core one of which extends through said projection, a female bullet type contact member secured in the opening extending through the projection and a male bullet type contact member extending through the other opening through the insulating body connected to separate electric conductors Within the insulating body, said female contact member of said electric connector receiving the male contact member of the bulb socket and the male contact member of the electric connector being re ceived in the female contact member of the socket tube with the projection on the electric connector inserted in the recess in the one end of the insulating core whereby assembly of said electric connector and bulb socket is prevented with the electric connector and bulb socket in other than a single predetermined relative angular position.

4. Structure for connecting an electric light bulb to a pair of electrical conductors with a predetermined polarity, comprising an electric light bulb socket including a socket tube adapted to receive an electric light bulb in one end, an insulating core secured within the other end of said socket tube which core has an axially extending recess in one end thereof, a pair of openings extending axially therethrough, one of which terminates in said recess, and a transverse recess extending across the other end of the insulating core in which said pair of openings terminate, a male bullet type contact member secured Within said one of said openings and extending into the recess at said one end of the insulating core and a female bullet type contact member secured within the other of said openings, each of said contact members including an elongated tubular portion extending through the respective opening in the insulating core and an enlarged cap portion at the endof the tubular members adjacent the other end of the core which cap portion is received in the transverse recess in the other end of the core to prevent shearing of light bulb terminal ends by contact thereof with the head portions of the contact members on securing of a light bulb within the bulb socket by relative rotation between the bulb socket and light bulb, and an electric connector including an insulating body having an axially extending projection on one end thereof of a cross section and length equal to the cross section and length of said recess in said one end of said insulating core, said insulating body also including a pair of openings therethrough aligned With the openings through said insulating core one of which extendsthrough said projection, a female bullet type contact member secured in the opening extending through the projection and a male bullet type contact member extending through the other opening through the insulating body connected to separate electric conductors within the insulating body, said female contact member of said electric connector receiving the male contact member of the bulb socket and the male contact member of the electric connector being received in the female contact member of the socket tube with the projection on the electric connector inserted in the recess in the one end of the insulating core whereby assembly of said electric connector and bulb socket is prevented with the electric connector and bulb socket in other than a single predetermined relative angular position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Anthony Apr. 1, Gage Mar. 22, Neesen July 19, Wade Apr. 28-, Andersen Sept. 4, Burtt et al. Sept. 14, Szafran et al Aug. 30, Kirk :Feb.'19, Roth Dec. 9, Heath June 9, Harris June 23, Fitz Gerald Nov. 10,

FOREIGN PATENTS France Dec. 22, 

